Dating should be colorblind

Chicago has more flavors of beautiful women than a Baskin-Robbins has varieties of ice cream.

Light-skinned, dark-skinned, whatever ... I consider myself fortunate to be attracted to women of all backgrounds, ethnicities and sizes (well, maybe not all sizes).

I don't discriminate when it comes to dating. Unfortunately, even in 2007, some people out there look down upon those who date outside their race.

The haters can all kick rocks. It's hard enough to find compatibility as it is, so why on earth limit myself to human beings of one ethnicity? I don't want to have only black friends. I don't work or do business with only black people. So why date only them?

I was born and raised in Detroit, a city with one of the country's largest concentrations of black folks. When I went off to college, I started messing with women of other races for the first time, but more so for the wrong reasons: They were a novelty.

When my tastes matured and I became more discriminate, race ceased to play a role. I learned not long after my freshman year in college that compatibility and personality -- colorblind traits -- were most important to me. If an attractive woman can pique my interest on an intellectual level and relate to how I feel every time I hear The Isley Brothers' "Voyage to Atlantis," I wouldn't care if she was green with purple polka-dots.

My friend Ed asked me what the point is of steering away from the inherent bond he believes only a black woman can have with a black man. Considering I've made a deep connection with a woman of mixed race in the past, I don't believe this perception holds much water.

For those who don't want to be seen in public dating outside of their race, I implore you to grow up. If you love your partner and still are occupied with how people perceive you, it's time to start sitting at the big people's table.

Unfortunately, it's not so cut-and-dry in certain cultures, where dating outside of the race can cause trouble within the family. But if you are, say, South Asian and you date outside of your race -- a taboo in the experiences of several of my Indian friends -- think about your long-term happiness and don't let your parents sandbag you. After all, you do live in America -- "land of the free," right? If you're an adult, you should be free to date whomever you want.

I've even come across bigots -- bafflingly in 2007 -- with the ethnocentric idea that having sex with folks outside of their race would be a less hygienic experience. Having had sex with women of numerous races, let me assure you that race does not play a factor in someone's use of soap or mouthwash.

My egalitarian sensibilities are a product of my parents, for which I'm thankful. They will do right by any woman I bring home, as long as the woman is good for me and makes me happy.

My mama's only concern is decidedly old-school: I'm not to bring her home any ugly grandbabies.